Dell quietly discontinues Streak 5 tablet

The Dell Streak 5 has been discontinued.
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Dell has officially discontinued its Streak 5 tablet.

The company has posted an image on its Streak 5 page, saying "goodbye" to the device. In its place, Dell directs users to its larger Streak 7, as well as accessories for those who already own its tiny tablet.

The Streak 5 launched last year. The device came with a 5-inch display, and allowed users to connect to the Web via Wi-Fi and 3G. At launch, the platform was criticized for its outdated Android 1.6 version, but Dell finally brought Android 2.2 (Froyo) to the platform with an over-the-air update.

CNET's Reviews team took the Streak 5 for a spin last year, giving it three and a half stars out of five. CNET reviewer Donald Bell said that the Android-based device was "worth taking seriously, though its size puts it on the fence between tablets and smartphones."

Aside from smaller tablets, Dell also has a 10-inch slate. However, in an interview with CNET earlier this year, the company's vice president and manager of its mobility business, John Thode, said that Dell doesn't plan to rush its device to the U.S. market.

"Our view is rather than try to rise above that noise--or worse, add to that noise--it is better to go get some traction in a market that will be a larger market," Thode said, referencing Dell's decision to launch the 10-inch option in China first. "China will clearly be the largest tablet market in the world in a very short time."

The Streak 10 is available now in China. Thode told CNET in the interview that the device likely won't make its way to the U.S. until later this year or next year.